Three Ways Technology Has Affected Marketing Activities:

Technology has affected marketing activities hugely in the last decade. Marketing has gone from being a black and white newspaper advertisement to being a virtual experience on the internet. Technological development most certainly has benefited the world but the development has also made it challenging for marketers to reach the more traditional and less fortunate people.

The world in general is not dominated by educated individuals who have access to computers, cell-phones, television or in some cases even radio. Marketing activities have been affected by this realisation as marketers have to choose a more conservative or traditional route in getting their product across to the masses. Innovative and creative ideas have needed to be realised. Advertisements on the sides of busses or taxis have huge potential to generate attention. Advertising in public bathrooms or on traditional billboards is also an option as well as handing out pamphlets in buzzing public areas. Areas that allow for as much exposure as possible in every day life are very important.

Obviously there is the case of the target market. The particular product could be targeted to the more educated people who do have access to all the wonders of technology. Where this is true, marketers can have opportunities to reach out to their consumers in very innovative and exciting ways. Banner ads on the internet or even simply a web- site create a lot of attention. Product placement in television shows, movies and even video games is an effective way of using technology in a particular fashion that allows a product to be exposed in a subtle way with the association of celebrities and different lifestyles.

Consumers generally dislike boring, uninformative and intrusive advertising. Technology today gives the consumer so much more control over exposure to advertising, specifically television commercials. There are mechanical ways of ad avoidance such as zipping, zapping and muting. A touch of a...